The morning breeze blew gently, but it brought tension into the Orchard Palace. Li Shan appeared at the door of Punya's room with a thoughtful expression. He warned her in a solemn tone.
"Prince Xiao Yang is coming here."
Punya frowned in confusion. "Who is it? Who is Prince Xiao Yang? I've never heard of this name before?"
"Second Prince, who has both brains and ambition. He came here to search for the Shadow Grape Fruit," Li Shan spoke clearly. "If he finds out that you have such a special ability, it will be dangerous."
Li Shan's words made Punya feel uncomfortable, but she nodded and tried to adjust to the situation.
Not long after, the heavy footsteps of the guards echoed throughout the courtyard. The second prince in a dark robe decorated with gold patterns appeared gracefully from the carriage. His sharp face radiated confidence and coolness, but his bright eyes showed a determination that was terrifying.
The courtiers quickly bowed their heads, showing their strict respect. Li Shan whispered softly in Punya's ear, "Don't look into his eyes for too long."
Punya lowered her head as warned, but she couldn't help but glance at the second prince. As soon as her eyes met his sharp eyes, she felt as if her heart was being read.
"This must be Punya, the woman from another place, right?" His deep, gentle voice was filled with slyness. His lips lifted up into a small, meaningful smile. "A woman from another city who is rumored to be very special. Today, we finally meet."
Punya flinched slightly. She tried to control herself and replied in a calm tone, "I'm just an ordinary person. I just got lost here and am trying to find my way home."
The second prince laughed softly, but his eyes were filled with doubt and interest. "Ordinary? I don't think that word can be used for you."
He walked past Punya, but before he was out of range, he turned back to Li Shan and said, "Take me to the conference room. I have something important to discuss with the people in the palace."
The atmosphere around was so quiet that the wind could be heard. Punya stood there still, feeling that this man's appearance did not only bring her doubts, But it might also change everything in this new world unexpectedly.
--
The drums and music that had been soothing the atmosphere in the palace began to quiet down as Second Prince Xiao Yang stated the purpose of his visit this time. Amidst the fearful gazes of the courtiers, he stood majestically in the middle of the large courtyard, with several guards behind him.
"I want the Shadow Grape." His voice was clear and powerful. "Whoever can tell me where it is will receive a worthy reward."
The courtiers looked at each other in confusion. Despite the fame of this magical fruit, no one had ever seen the real thing before.
Li Shan, who had been standing silent all along, walked a little closer to Punya and whispered, "The Shadow Grape… It is one of the sacred fruits, but it is hidden in the deepest part of the garden. If we search like this, it might take a year."
Punya looked up at Li Shan with doubt. "Then what are we going to do to find it?"
Li Shan thought for a moment before softly saying, "You might be able to help… With your abilities."
Punya paused for a moment. "Me? But if I help, will he suspect me? You said it was dangerous."
"It's possible," Li Shan replied straightforwardly. "But if we don't help, Second Prince might use more drastic methods."
As the two were talking, Second Prince glanced at them, looking curious but not displeased.
"Li Shan," his voice rang out as he stepped closer. "I know you know the most about this garden. You should have some good advice for me, right?"
Li Shan bowed his head slightly. "I just think that searching for Shadow Grapes might require someone with special abilities to sense its power."
Second Prince raised his eyebrows in interest. "Special abilities? Who do you mean?"
Li Shan hesitated for a moment before turning to look at Punya. "This woman…"
Punya felt all eyes on her immediately. The pressure she had felt before returned, but this time it was even stronger.
The Second Prince looked at Punya with an appraising gaze. "The foreigner? And what ability do you have that Li Shan mentioned? According to what I've heard, you only have a good sense of taste and smell."
Punya swallowed lightly and answered in a steady tone, "I only have the ability to sense the energy of certain fruits… If you want me to help, I'm happy to."
"Very good," the Second Prince said with a smile that seemed satisfied, but his eyes were filled with caution. "Then, prove your ability to me."
The atmosphere in the garden immediately became quiet. Everyone waited to see what Punya would do next…
-
The next day, the atmosphere in the Second Prince's private hall was filled with silence, but it was also filled with tension. Punya walked in carefully. Inside the room decorated with dark curtains and luxurious furniture, Prince Xiao Yang was sitting on a high cushioned chair. The light from the crystal lamp reflected his sharp gaze as he stared at her as if he was trying to penetrate her heart.
"If I remember correctly, when we met yesterday, your name is Punya, right?" Xiao Yang said calmly, but the tone was full of authority.
"Yes," Punya said, bowing her head slightly to show her respect.
"I am very interested in you... as someone from another place."
Punya felt a premonition in those words. Xiao Yang reached out and took a strange-looking bright red fruit with gold patterns and placed it on the tray. "Do you have the special ability to tell the power of fruits like Li Shan said? Then try this."
Punya looked at the fruit carefully before taking a bite. She closed her eyes, feeling the sweet and sour taste that contained a complex power. "This is a fruit that allows those who eat it to change the minds of others in a short period of time."
Xiao Yang smiled faintly. "Exactly... You are very interesting. If that were the case, there would be no need for the Shadow Grape."
Punya began to feel suspicious. She could feel that behind that smile, there was something unpredictable. Xiao Yang continued, "You have an extraordinary talent. If you want to stay in this place, you should learn how to protect yourself... Because this world is more dangerous than you think."
Those words made Punya have to hide her fear. She knew that this meeting was just the beginning of the game full of tricks and schemes of the second prince.
--
After Punya helped find the "Shadow Grape", a fruit with the special power to reveal the weaknesses in the minds of enemies, Prince Xiao Yang summoned her to meet again in the secret hall, which was full of maps and documents that seemed to be secret information about the royal family.
"You did well, Punya," Xiao Yang said as he sat down at the dark carved wooden table. His face showed satisfaction, but there was still something that made Punya feel uneasy.
"I think you deserve to know the truth," Xiao Yang said as he picked up the Shadow Grape and placed it on the table. "My goal is not just to occupy the orchard... but to overthrow my brother's power."
Punya was stunned. She did not expect the second prince to reveal his true intentions like this.
"Do you know what the power of this Shadow Grape can do?" Xiao Yang asked without waiting for an answer. "It will help me find the weaknesses in the minds of my enemies... and that includes my brother."
Punya felt the weight of the situation. She began to hesitate about what to do next. If she helped Xiao Yang, she might have a chance to live in this world safely, but if she refused, she might be dealt with as an obstruction.
"I don't ask you to answer now," Xiao Yang continued, "but remember, if you want to live in this world safely, you should choose the right side."
Punya left the room with a chaotic mind. She knew that this decision would change her fate forever.